A notable international success from Kumsal Islek
Kumsal Islek, one of the promising young names of Turkish chess, achieved an important success at the Princesses Online Chess Festival organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) between March 22 and 29, 2026. Competing in the Group B qualifiers of the ongoing event, the Turkish player finished first in the Under-9 category and second in the overall standings across all age groups, securing a place in the final. This result showed not only her strength within her own age section, but also the consistency and quality of her play in a much broader field of competition.
Held in an online format by FIDE, the festival brings together young female chess players from different countries, encouraging both competition and development. To succeed in events like this, players need more than opening preparation; time-control management, tactical awareness, and the ability to make accurate decisions under pressure are equally vital. Kumsal Islek's performance in the group stage is especially valuable because it came against international opponents at such a young age. In online chess, maintaining rhythm, minimizing errors, and staying fully focused round after round are among the key factors that determine success at this level.
Finishing at the top of the Under-9 category underlined Kumsal's clear strength within her age group, while taking second place in the overall classification proved that the quality of her play goes beyond age boundaries. For young players, international finals of this kind matter not only in terms of medals or rankings, but also as opportunities to gain experience and expand their playing repertoire. Every game offers new lessons, from opening choices to endgame technique. In that sense, Kumsal Islek's qualification for the final stands out as both a welcome achievement for Turkish chess and a highly encouraging sign for the future.
Following this result, proudly shared by the Turkish Chess Federation, attention now turns to the final matches. We sincerely congratulate Kumsal Islek and wish her success in the final stage on the road to the championship. Her performance throughout the festival once again demonstrated how disciplined work and well-guided talent can produce results on the international stage. Updated standings and results of the tournament can be followed on the event's official online page.